Planter



July 30, 1963 G. L. KANE 3,09

PLANTE'R Filed March 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ga/e L. Kane INVENTOR.

BY fimm aura WW 19m July 30, 1963 Filed March 6, 1962 G. L. KANE PLANTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gale L. Kane INVENTOK.

BY nu yaw 15% United States 3,099,355 PLANTER Gale L. Kane, Bushnell, Ill., assignor of fifty percent to Ehrman P. Huff, Bushnell, Ill. Filed Mar. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 177,810 8 Claims. (Cl. 211--75) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in planters for indoor or outdoor use and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a highly ornamental device of this character which comprises any desired number of separate, independently removable soil cups or containers.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved planter of the character described which embodies a novel construction and arrangement of parts for firmly supporting the containers.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a planter \of the aforementioned character which may be placed on the floor, a table, a wall or other suitable supporting structure.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a planter of the character set forth which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully herein-after described and claimed, reference being had to the ac companying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one of many embodiments cf the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a View in vertical section through the embodiment of FIGURE 1 of the drawing, showing the device mounted on a wall;

FIGURE -3 is a view in vertical longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated in FIGURES l, 2 and 3 of said drawing comprises a substantially flat, horizontal panel or shelf 5 of suitable dimensions and material, preferably wood. The shelf 5 is elongated and has formed therein at longitudinally spaced points a series of. circular openings 6, the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

The shelf 5 is adapted to be mounted on a wall or other suitable supporting structure as indicated at 7. Toward this end, the shelf 5 is provided with a straight back or rear edge 8 which is adapted to abut the wall 7. Angular metallic brackets 9 (see FIGURE 2) secure the device to the wall 7. The brackets 9, any desired number of which may be provided, are secured beneath the rear longitudinal marginal portion of the shelf 5 by screws 10. Screws 11 secure the brackets 9 to the wall 7. The shelf 5 further includes an ornamental front edge 12'.

Affixed longitudinally beneath the shelf 5 and depending therefrom is a vertical plate 13, said plate extending beneath the openings 6 and comprising an ornamental lower edge 14 which is substantially similar to the edge 12 of said shelf. Extending downwardly into the vertical plate 13 from the upper edge thereof is a series of recesses 15 which are in registry and direct communication with the openings 6. Fixedly mounted in the recesses 15 on the lower end walls thereof are horizontal disks 1-6. It will be noted that the disks 16 are aligned with the circular openings 6.

The openings 6 and the recesses 15 are for the recep- Patented July 30, 1963 tion of removable soil cups or containers 1-7 of suitable material. The disks 16 function as supporting bases for the cups or containers 17, said cups or containers resting on said disks. The cups or containers 17 comprise outwardly turned top flanges 18 which are adapted to rest on the shelf 5.

Lt is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the cups or containers 17 are filled to the desirable level with soil, etc., and the seed is planted therein. To facilita-te the various operations the cups or containers 17 may, of course, be removed. In addition to firmly supporting the cups or containers 17, the disks 16 enhance the appearance of the complete device. Access to the screws 11 may be readily had by simply removing the cups or containers .17. Or, if desired, access holes or openings may be provided in the plate 13 for this purpose.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE 4 of the drawing is intended particularly, although not necessarily, for table use and includes an ornamental generally cross-shaped horizontal panel or shelf 19 of suitable dimensions and material. The shelf 19 has formed therein a multiplicity of spaced, circular openings for the reception of a plurality of flanged cups or containers 20. The cups or containers 20 are substantially similar to the cups or containers 17. Secured beneath the panel or shelf 19 and extending beneath the openings therein is a pair of crossed vertical plates 21 providing what may be considered a supporting base 22 for the assembly. The base members or plates 21 have extending downwardly therein-to from the upper edges thereof recesses 23 for the reception of the cups 20, said recesses being substantially similar to the recesses 15. Then, disks 24, substantially similar to the disks 16, support the cups 20' in the recesses 23.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A planter comprising a horizontal panel having a plurality of openings therein, a vertical plate afiixed to the underside of the panel and extending beneath the openings therein, said plate having a plurality of recesses in its upper edge vertically aligned with the openings and communicating directly therewith, and removable soil containers mounted in the openings and the recesses.

2. A planter comprising a horizontal panel having a plurality of openings therein, a vertical plate affixed to the underside of the panel and extending beneath the openings therein, said plate having a plurality of recesses in its upper edge vertically aligned with the openings and communicating directly therewith, and removable soil containers mounted in the openings and the recesses, said containers including outwardly turned top flanges resting on the panel.

3. A planter in accordance with claim 2, together with disks fixedly mounted in the lower portions of the recesses for supporting the containers therein.

4. A planter comprising an elongated horizontal shelf having a series of longitudinally spaced, circular openings therein, a horizontally elongated, vertical plate 3 with, horizontal disks in the recesses affixed to the lower walls thereof, substantially cylindrical soil cups removably mounted in the openings and resting on the disks, and means for securing the shelf on a supporting structure.

5. A planter in accordance with claim 4, said soil cups including top flanges resting on the shelf.

6. A planter in accordance with claim 5, said means comprising angular brackets secured beneath the shelf and accessible through certain of the recesses in the plate when the cups are removed therefrom.

7. A planter comprising a base including a pair of crossed, horizontally elongated vertical plates having spaced recesses extending downwardly therein from the upper edges thereof, horizontal disks in the recesses afiixed to the lower end Walls thereof, a generally crossshaped horizontal panel mounted on the plates and extending over the recesses therein, said panel having openings therein vertically aligned with the recesses and communicating directly therewith, and soil cups rernovably mounted in the openings and recesses and resting on the disks.

8. A planter in accordance with claim 7, said cups including top flanges seated on the panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 890,354 Giard June 9, 1908 942,602 Twohig Dec. '7, 1909 1,904,072 Nelson et al. Apr. 18, 1933 

1. A PLANTER COMPRISING A HORIZONTAL PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS THEREIN, A VERTICAL PLATE AFFIXED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PANEL AND EXTENDING BENEATH THE OPENINGS THEREIN, SAID PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF RECESSES IN ITS UPPER EDGE VERTICALLY ALIGNED WITH THE OPENINGS AND COMMUNICATING DIRECTLY THEREWITH, AND REMOVABLE SOIL CONTAINERS MOUNTED IN THE OPENINGS AND THE RECESSES. 